The Thomasville Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) celebrated Constitution Week during its September meeting with an interesting program by Randy Young. Thomasville Chapter Parliamentarian Jinanne Parrish, who introduced the speaker, said, “Randy Young has been the director of Audio/Video/Technology at Thomas County Central High School for 26 years, a columnist with the Thomasville Times-Enterprise for 25 years, is a local historian and plays guitar in his band, The Skinks. He is also known as the ‘voice of the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets.’”

Young gave an update to the chapter members and guests about the protocols in place for COVID-19 at Thomas County Central High School since students have returned to the classroom. Students and faculty have their temperatures checked each morning upon arrival, school meals for breakfast and lunch are pre-packaged and delivered to each classroom, social distancing is observed, and the wearing of masks are some of the procedures being used.

Young also spoke about the T.L. Spence American Legion building located near the historic cemeteries in downtown Thomasville since 1927. It was in danger of being sold but the original deed was located, which determined the building would revert to the city if not being used. Young and a group of local residents have formed a committee with plans to repurpose the building as a Thomas County Veterans Museum.

Randy Young then gave an interesting presentation about The Society of the Cincinnati, which is made up of descendants of officers who served in the Continental Army in the American Revolution. Anderson House in Washington, D.C is the Society’s headquarters and there are only 3,500 members worldwide, which includes 15 members from Thomasville. 

The organization was founded by Maj. Gen. Henry Knox in 1783 and Gen. George Washington was the first President General. It is also called “One Society of Friends” and the symbol is the eagle. A principal of the Society is to extend “acts of beneficence” toward those officers and families who may need it. The Society of the Cincinnati only allows one line per family per officer to join so Young did research for 15 years before he was able to find his unique ancestor, 2nd Lt. Abraham Wood from Pennsylvania, in order to become a member of the Society. 

In recognition of Constitution Week, Chapter Regent Shelba Sellers displayed the signed Constitution Week Proclamation awarded to the Thomasville Chapter DAR by Thomasville Mayor Greg Hobbs, which proclaimed the week of September 17-23 as Constitution Week. The Thomasville Chapter DAR also held a Bell Ringing Ceremony on September 23 at 11:45 a.m. at the historic Thomas County Courthouse located at 225 N. Broad Street in downtown Thomasville. 

Constitution Week is the commemoration of America’s most important document. The celebration of the Constitution was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The celebration’s goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787; to inform people that the Constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage and the foundation of our way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the Constitution.

At the September meeting, Thomasville Chapter DAR Chaplain Drucilla Bennett and Chapter Registrar Pamela Tucker inducted new members Ashley Carugati, Hannah Jaspert, Michelle Kimbler and Debbie Williams. Hannah Jaspert proved her lineage from her Revolutionary War ancestor, Pvt. Zeboeth Britton, who served in Pennsylvania. Michelle Kimbler proved her lineage from her Revolutionary War ancestor, Sgt. Asa Jones, who served in Connecticut and New York. Debbie Williams and her daughter, Ashley Carugati, proved their lineage from their Revolutionary War ancestor, Pvt. George Foght, who served in Pennsylvania. New members take a membership oath and receive a DAR pin. Prospective members and guests of the Thomasville Chapter DAR were also introduced at the meeting.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. More than one million women have joined the DAR since it was founded. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.

For more information about the Thomasville Chapter DAR, visit thomasville.georgiastatedar.org or the Chapter’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ThomasvilleChapterNSDAR.